Cosmetic products applicator

ABSTRACT

The applicator for cosmetic products, or lipstick, is a double ply card with an embossed pattern that retains a sample of cosmetic, primarily lipstick. The pattern includes projections from a top ply and a bottom ply opposite the top ply. The pattern shears lipstick from a source onto the applicator. Additionally, the sample can be deposited onto the top ply similar to printing. This applicator also has the cosmetic sample retained within projections upon the top ply that separates from the bottom ply affixed to a card or magazine page. In use a woman folds the applicator, moves it to her mouth, and transfers the sample to her lips.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non provisional patent application claims priority to theContinuation-in-Part patent application having Ser. No. 11/899,720,which was filed on Sep. 7, 2007, which claims priority to the nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/190,752, which was filed onJul. 27, 2005, which claims priority to the provisional patentapplication having Ser. No. 60/598,013, which was filed on Aug. 2, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This applicator for cosmetic products relates to sampling devices andmore specifically to a two ply card for mailing cosmetic samples inseparate mailers or within a printed publication. A unique aspect of thepresent applicator is an embossed field upon the top ply that collects asample of a cosmetic and that is then heat sealed to a bottom ply.

People have adorned themselves with perfumes, colognes, powders,mascaras, and other cosmetics for centuries. Samples of a cosmeticencourage more sales to discriminating customers. The counter, where thecustomer may purchase, remains the most effective place to promotecosmetics. Often, retailers and suppliers of cosmetics provide freesamples to entice women. However, women approach some cosmetic productsskeptically, like lipstick. Women only buy lipstick after sampling it tojudge its desirability. Women also know of the health risks in samplinga lipstick from a common sampler. Multiple uses of a cosmetic samplerinvite customer complaints. Sampling a lipstick from a common tube bymore than one person has become socially and medically frowned upon.Many women insist upon sampling from an unopened tube of lipstick orsample on their hand to avoid medical problems.

To overcome the health risks in cosmetic sampling, the cosmetic industryhas made miniature versions of tubes and other cosmetic dispensers. Theminiature versions remain subject to contamination at the retailcounter. Further, cosmetic suppliers still incur the cost of producingand distributing the miniature samples for each of the color or productline variations. In addition, cosmetic suppliers and retailers havetried cotton swabs that dab from a common cosmetic source, samplesticks, and test strips. These alternatives when used commerciallycaused messes, inconvenienced customers, and proved ineffective.

Beyond test strips, tubes, and pencils, the cosmetic industry seeks aninexpensive applicator for applying a cosmetic sample to skin in asingle stroke. Presently, cosmetics such as lipstick have individualapplicators that indirectly place lipstick upon the lips of a woman.When applied, the lipstick sample should have the same texture, feel,and characteristics regardless of the applicator. Because of the goalfor similarity between a sample and the lipstick for sale, applicatorsusually are miniature tubes or brushes despite other possibilities.

Traditionally fragrance samplers were dry pre-scented blotter cards thathad to be individually wrapped to contain the fragrance for direct mailor magazine advertising. Beginning in the late 1970's, themicro-encapsulated Scentstrip® style magazine and direct mail insert wasintroduced. The Scentstrip insert is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,093,182 to Ross. This product was produced on wide web offset printingequipment and therefore offered significant cost efficiencies for massmarketing. However, this was still a dry sample since the moisture inthe deposited fragrance slurry would quickly wick into the papersubstrate and leave the product sample dry. In fact, the entiretechnology depended on this moisture wicking since the wet microcapsuleswould not bond to the paper and would not break upon opening of thesampler. The microcapsules only break and release the fragrance oil whenthey are dry and are bonded to the paper. The draw back with thisproduct was that it did not replicate the actual wet perfume productvery well. To sample the fragrances in wet form, the moisture wicking ofthe wet fragrance slurry deposited in the wide web offset printingprocess required prevention. Preventing moisture wicking occurred mosteasily by using existing narrow web flexographic label printingtechnology to create a pressure sensitive product that incorporated awet fragrance or cosmetic sample material between impervious barriermaterials such as plastic films and foil structures.

Three main fragrance sampler patents guide wet fragrance or cosmeticsampling in magazines and direct mail. One is U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,420 toBootman, which describes a pressure sensitive label comprising two pliesof a film or plastic material: one bottom pressure sensitive ply, adeposit of fragrance material and an overlay of a second ply which trapssaid fragrance deposit. The sealing is by heat seal. The draw back ofthis product is that the fragrance material is often forced into andthrough the seal areas under pressure from the stacking forces of manymagazines or inserts in distribution.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,688 to Muchin introduces a center ply material whichhas a die-cut window. This window ply is introduced onto the bottompressure sensitive ply and thus creates a well for the fragrancematerial. The top, third ply is then added and the result is thatstacking forces are distributed on to the widow ply and the fragrancematerial is exposed to less forces that may lead to seal failures andleakage.

A modification of this second patent concept is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,622,263 to Greenland. Greenland uses a liquid polyethylene orother hot liquid plastic material that creates the above-mentioned welland also assists in the heat sealing process. The Greenland concept alsoadds additional material cost and slows the process as the liquidplastic material needs to be deposited and bonded to the top and bottomply. Further, the hot liquid plastic material introduces foreign odorand can contaminate the cosmetic or fragrance sampling material.

There are various other patents that deal with cosmetic sampling.Gunderman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,130) discloses a sampling device with aunit dose of cosmetic that is screen printed onto a base paper with aperimeter adhesive and clear film overlay. Here, a well area is embossedto receive an integral applicator. The well is not designed as areceptor for the cosmetic product nor is the embossing incorporated intothe seal so as to afford strength and allow the seal to withstandpressure better. Also, this sampler uses screen printing and is notcapable of delivering a wet liquid dose of cosmetic material. Lastly, apressure sensitive base material is not disclosed which would allowautomatic affixing as a label onto magazine or direct mail materials.

Gunderman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,693) describes a screen printed samplerthat delivers a cosmetic dose under a clear film overlay with pressuresensitive base material allowing affixing as a label. Again, thissampler is not designed to deliver a wet fragrance. The formulationrequires fragrance to be mixed in a powder-based vehicle so that it canbe screen printed. Further no embossing is envisioned to hold a cosmeticdose or to create seal wall integrity.

Gunderman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,112) envisions a lipstick sampler, againwith neither a well or an embossed seal wall feature.

Ashcraft (U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,676) describes a multi-layer film with aflavor carrier layer between barrier layers. This does not create a wetfragrance sampler and no seals by embossing that will contain a wetcosmetic sample.

Moir (U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,386) describes a screen printed, two-plysampler with perimeter adhesive and clear film overlay. The cosmetic isa cosmetic powder, a heated oily, non-liquid waxy material, or afragrance in a dry powder formulation. The product is not wet and thereis no provision for creating heat sealed, embossed or interlocking wallsto define a well and create internal seal strength sufficient towithstand stacking forces.

Szycher et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,690) shows a perfume patch.

Moir (U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,378) discloses a cosmetic screen printed,two-ply sampler that allows a pattern deposit of the cosmetic ingredientin the form of a non-smeary powder. This product is not pressuresensitive has no embossed wells or seal walls and does not deliver a wetsample.

Dreger (U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,264) discloses a label product comprising atleast two sheets, bonded by adhesive, with microencapsulated fragrance.The liquid fragrance inside the microspheres is so small that it doesnot create a wet rendering of the product and is dry to the touch as incurrent day dry “scentstrips”. There is no mention of any embossing tocreate an improved seal and resist stacking pressure.

Moir (U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,934) discloses another version of a screenprinted cosmetic powder formulation that may include fragrance in atwo-ply pressure sensitive label construction. The seals of the two plylayers are by adhesive seal and the product rendering is dry or waxy, asin the lipstick dose version, but not wet as contemplated in the currentinvention. No embossing or debossing is used to create well areas orbuild wall seals.

Fraser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,423) describes using in a multi-layer striphaving an adhesive with frangible microcapsules as a package overwrap.This product does not render a wet sample and create wells or seal wallseither.

Charbonneau (U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,956) discloses a pressure sensitive twoply label construction with conventional microencapsulated slurryapplied wet and then allowed to dry. The product sample is rendered in adry state, no wells or embossed walls are used to create a moreimpervious seal that resists stacking forces.

Several other patents disclose fragrance samplers: Charbonneau (U.S.Pat. No. 4,606,956) shows an on page fragrance sampling device.Charbonneau (U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,388) shows a pad fragrance samplingdevice. Fraser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,423) shows a package opening system.Moir et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,934) discloses a cosmetic sampler.Dreger (U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,264) discloses an on page fragrance samplingdevice. Moir et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,378) discloses a cosmeticsampler. Moir et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,386) discloses a method ofmaking a cosmetic sampler. Ashcraft et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,676)discloses a flavor burst structure and method of making it. Gundermann(U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,112) discloses a lipstick sampler. Gundermann (U.S.Pat. No. 5,566,693) discloses a fragrance sampler. Gundermann (U.S. Pat.No. 5,690,130) discloses a cosmetic sampler with an integratedapplicator. Sweeny (U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,869) discloses fragrancemicrocapsules clear substrate. Turnbull (U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,801)discloses a fragrance releasing pull-apart sheet. Greenland (U.S. Pat.No. 5,622,263) discloses a sampler package and method of making it.Muchin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,688) discloses a sampler and method ofmaking the sampler. Bootman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,420) disclosesfragrance laden pouch samplers.

The U.S. patent to Wallschlaeger, U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,913, describes alipstick applicator of a base support, that does not absorb dry solidsand liquids placed thereupon, and has a coating of lipstick of 5 mils orless. The base support is not a tube or brush as is commonly associatedwith lipstick but rather a planar sheet. The lipstick coating is appliedto the base support using screen printing methods. The base support mayhave a cover thereupon to protect the coating from handling.

The U.S. patent to Wallschlaeger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,408, thendescribes a two ply cosmetic sampler. Wallschlaeger's sampler hasprojections extending upwardly from the base ply and gravity retains thesample within the projections and upon the base ply. Wallschlaegerpresents the sampler as a separate stand alone device with a cover uponthe projections of the bottom ply. In use, Wallschlaeger's sampler hasthe top ply detach, similar to a cover, and separate from the bottom plyso the consumer can use the top ply as an applicator of cosmeticretained in the bottom ply and when finished, the top ply is disposed.In contrast, the present invention has projections upon the top ply andretains the sample within the top ply, occasionally against gravity.Additionally, the present invention is designed for application as alabel onto a card or page of printed material. The base ply remains uponthe carrier while the top ply, including the sample, is removed forusage by the consumer.

The difficulty in providing a removable sampler is shown by theoperation of a typical product sample at a cosmetics counter, ordepartment store. The prior art communicates the shade and texture of aparticular lipstick. However, most cosmetic suppliers produce about 150shades of lipstick, making individual counter display and samplingimpractical and expensive. Cosmetic suppliers have invested heavily insampling lipstick tubes and two-ply applicators in use at countersaround the world. In addition, lipsticks have a variety of formulaediffering in shelf life and compatibility. Lipstick formulae requiretesting for sample stability during shipping and handling to a retailstore. During testing, some samples may render a formula incompatibleand deter marketing of a formula. The logistics and expense of testingpose obstacles to cosmetic vendors, raising the cost and time involvedin a sampling program. The two ply construction of the prior art, thecompatibility and stability testing, shelf space requirements, andpackaging make existing applicators more expensive to use in a samplingprogram.

Embossing in prior art patents, serving as stilting, protects a cosmeticmaterial, or lipstick, between the base ply and the top cover ply. Anembodiment of the present invention serves as an aid to shear lipstickfrom a tube. The present invention allows the use of one common card bya woman for all the shades she seeks to sample. The present inventionreduces the need for numerous pre-printed shade cards. As the womansamples the lipstick immediately after applying it to the presentinvention, stability and compatibility concerns of the lipstick do notarise. The two ply embodiment of the present invention has cosmeticsample deposited within the embossing of the top ply

The present art overcomes the limitations of the prior art. That is, inthe art of the present invention, a single use applicator for cosmeticproducts, receives lipstick from a common bulk container but allows eachwoman to sample the lipstick individually. The two ply embodiment of theinvention retains cosmetic samples within embossing or projections uponthe top ply that is then heat sealed to a base ply attached to a releaseliner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the cosmetic products applicator is a dualply applicator upon a release liner that affixes the applicator to acard, a magazine, a mail piece, or other means of conveyance. Theapplicator has a top ply, a base ply, and a release liner, each with itsown function. The top ply has a pattern embossed downwardly so that thebosses, or projections, abut the base ply located below the top ply. Thetop ply is heat sealed upon the perimeter of the base ply as both thetop ply and the base play have the same shape. The base ply then has anadhesive layer opposite the top ply for placing the applicator upon therelease liner. Then in an alternate embodiment, the applicator is asingle ply card with an embossed pattern that retains a sample oflipstick. The pattern forms a friction field that shears lipstick whenapplied directly from a tube onto the applicator. Also, the patternassists in visually targeting the deposit of a cosmetic upon theapplicator.

At a counter, a woman surveys the samples of lipsticks and selects a fewof her choosing. The woman takes an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention with the raised field down, and moves the applicator acrossthe lipstick source. The raised field contacts the lipstick and lipstickcollects between the embossing of the raised field. After selecting asample, a woman folds the applicator away from her, moves the applicatorto her mouth, and transfers the sample of lipstick to her lips.Following use, a woman folds the applicator towards her and encloses theraised field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the cosmeticproducts applicator constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the partially folded applicator of thealternate embodiment;

FIG. 3 describes an end view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention while in flat form;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the dual plies of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the present invention with the projectionsextending into the plane of the view;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the applicator ready for mailing;

FIG. 7 describes an enlarged sectional view of the top ply including theplacement of a cosmetic sample within the bosses; and,

FIG. 8 portrays an alternate embodiment having visible printing oradvertisements upon the plies.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing anapplicator for cosmetic products that allows multiple consecutivesamples to be placed upon a single applicator. Turning to FIG. 1, analternate embodiment of the applicator 1 for cosmetic products has asingle ply 2 of material generally rectangular in shape. The ply 2 hasscoring with a center fold line 4 and a mechanically embossed lipcontour pattern 3. Upon the longitudinal axis, the applicator 1 has acentered fold 4 that generally divides the present invention intohalves. As a means to secure the applicator 1 when closed, the card 2has one or more notches 6 upon one or more edges. A die cuts the notches6 to interlock when one half folds upon the other.

Generally centered, an embossed pattern 3 rises from the ply 2. Thepattern 3 has the appearance of a pair of lips in a smooth field. In thealternate embodiment, the pattern 3 has a plurality of raised bosses, ordots, in a grid shaped to mimic lips. The dots occupy approximately 25%of the surface area of the ply 2. In an alternate embodiment, thepattern 3 has a series of parallel lines at a diagonal to thelongitudinal axis. The pattern 3 rises from the ply 2 somewhat less thanthree thicknesses of the ply 2, approximately 3 mils in height.

Many methods can form the raised area 3 such as mechanical embossing orprinting. A mechanical embosser uses a roller or flat tool with apositive image of the pattern 3. The card 2 passes under a roller orflat embossing tool which impresses the pattern 3 upon the material ofthe card 2. Printing forms a raised area 3 by its own methods, specialinks, and deposition. In general, printing places a pattern 3 of greaterheight than the card 2 upon the surface of the card 2. Printing includesthe methods of silkscreen, offset, rotogravure, flexography, anddeposition. In particular, flexography uses conventional inks, offsetinks, flexographic inks, ultraviolet cured inks, and thermographic heatset inks. The inks adhere to the surface of the card 2 and the lipstickcollects between portions of the ink. Deposition places material uponthe card 2 in a pattern 3. Deposition involves the methods ofthermoforming, vacuum forming, casting, heat treatment, electrostatictreatment, spraying, extruding, adhesives, and cohesives.

As shown in FIG. 2, a woman utilizes the applicator 1 to transfer asample of cosmetics, or lipstick, to her lips for viewing and shopping.A woman folds the ply 2 along the fold line 4 with the halves foldingaway from the woman. Upon the halves, the embossed pattern 3 is ready totransfer a cosmetic once in contact with lips.

A salesperson places cosmetic, or lipstick, upon the embossed pattern 3.The salesperson may either drag the ply 2 across a lipstick tube or draga lipstick tube across the ply 2. The raised pattern 3 retains lipstickbetween the dots generally at no more depth than the height of a boss ora dot, approximately three mils. With the lipstick upon the ply 2, awoman applies the sample to her lips for possible purchase. After use, awoman folds the card 2 toward her which encases the raised area 3. Thewoman then interlocks the notches 6 to secure the applicator 1 in aclosed configuration. The applicator 1 can then be carried by the womanwith less risk of the sample leaking from the applicator 1.

Turning to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the present invention hastwo or more subplies 5. The first sub-ply 5 a forms the base of theapplicator 1. The first sub-ply 5 a extends for the complete width andlength of the card 2. The first sub-ply 5 a folds longitudinally alongthe line 4. Upon both sides of the fold line 4, the applicator 1 has twosecond sub-plies 5 b. The second sub-plies 5 b have less width than halfof the card 2 and less length than the card 2. The second sub-plies 5 bprovide the raised field 3 as manufactured by the methods previouslydescribed in FIG. 1. The second sub-plies 5 b are generallysymmetrically arranged about the fold line 4.

Another version of this applicator may be made of material that does notfeature a raised or embossed area, as previously described, but may bemade of material or exhibits a coating on a material that renders theapplicator receptive to the cosmetic sample, and at the same time berelatively impervious to the cosmetic sample so that it does not absorbinto or through the applicator before usage. The applicator will stillfold over on a pre-creased, printed or perforated line, so that it mayfunction as the original applicator as described herein. Another versionmay include either a raised or embossed area, or a non raisedapplicator, with an overlay cover material that is removed prior tousage, to maintain a hygienic deposit area for the cosmetic sampler,when applied.

FIG. 4 now shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention ofthe cosmetic products applicator as it is assembled. The applicator 7has a top ply 8 above a bottom or base ply 9 that affixes to a releaseliner 10. The top ply is generally planar in extent and has a generallyoval shape, a top surface 8 a exposed to the user of the applicator andan opposite bottom surface 8 b with a pattern of integral bosses, orprojections 11. The projections extend away from the top ply and towardsthe base ply. The individual projections can have varying patterns andshapes as in known in the art. The projections can be formed byembossing, de-bossing, thermoforming, cohesives, other adhesives,printing, laminated secondary plies, and like methods.

Beneath the top ply, the base ply 9 is generally a planar oval shapesimilar to that of the top ply. The base ply 9 has a top surface 9 a andan opposite bottom surface 9 b. The top surface 9 a of the base plyreceives the projections depending from the top ply. The top ply isjoined to the bottom ply upon their mutual perimeter generally by heatsealing and like methods. The bottom surface 9 b then has a layer ofadhesive 13, as later shown in FIG. 6, preferably pressure sensitive,applied thereon for affixing the assembled plies of the applicator tothe release liner 10. Though shown here as rectangular, the releaseliner can be of any useful shape for placing the applicator as a labelupon a mail piece, magazine page, or like material. The release linerthen permanently adheres to a carrier, card, magazine page, and likematerial. In use, the top ply 8 is removed from the fixed bottom ply 9and the top ply carries the sample of cosmetic for the consumer to useas desired.

When the top ply 8 is placed upon the bottom ply 9 and both are thenaffixed to the release liner 10, the applicator 7 appears from the topas shown in FIG. 5. The top ply and the base ply have a similar shapeand the negative image of the pattern of projections 11 appears in thetop ply. The release liner holds the compact form of the two pliesincluding a cosmetic sample therein.

The assembled applicator then appears in layers as shown in thesectional view of FIG. 6. The top ply 8 has a pattern where the integralprojections 11 extend downwardly from the bottom surface 8 b. Theprojections are spaced apart on two axes and retain a sample 12 ofcosmetic placed therein. The shaping of individual projections, surfacetension of the sample, and static charge retain the sample proximate tothe bottom surface 8 b of the top ply until used. In the preferredembodiment, the projections are bosses or round knob like hubs. Theheight of the boss from the top surface 8 a is enough to retain thecosmetic sample between adjacent bosses and shallow enough to avoidperception by a woman during usage. The projections then abut the topsurface 9 a of the bottom ply 9. The projections generally rest upon thetop surface without penetrating or deflecting into it. Upon the bottomsurface 9 b, a layer of adhesive 13 is applied that affixes the base plyalong with the top ply to the release liner.

Looking more closely at the sample 12 within the top ply 8, FIG. 7 showscosmetic sample retained between adjacent projections 11 here shown asbosses. The sample is retained side to side by adjacent projections andretained upon the top ply against gravity by surface tension andfriction with the material of the top ply. The bosses each appear as around swelling, similar to a smooth mound or knob. The bosses contactthe skin of a woman on a minimum of surface area thus avoiding anadverse perception of bosses scraping across her skin. The knob or hublike shape retains the cosmetic sample during manufacturing andtransport yet readily releases the sample upon the woman's skin when thewoman grips the top ply 8 and moves the bottom surface 8 b with thebosses upon her skin. The cosmetic sample is generally less than 5 milsthick. The present invention retains the sample in the top ply duringpackaging and handling of the applicator by printers and eventually byend users.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Thetop ply 8 has its top surface 8 a with a pattern of projections 11thereon. The projections extend downwardly as before. The projectionsleave a limited appearance of a negative image upon the top surface thatpermits printing 14, advertising, or other indicia to be placedthereupon. The top surface can display a message or printing visible tothe user before removing the top ply for application of the cosmeticsample contained therein. With the top ply removed during usage, the topsurface 9 a of the bottom ply 9 is exposed upon the release lineraffixed to a carrier. In this alternate embodiment, the top surface ofthe bottom ply can be seen by the user and thus printing 14,advertising, or other indicia can be placed there as well. Thisalternate embodiment provides at least two surfaces capable of receivingand then displaying printing for viewing by the end user.

From the aforementioned description, a cosmetic products applicator hasbeen described. The applicator is uniquely capable of individualsampling of lipstick from bulk containers and for retaining a cosmeticin the removable top ply. The projections or bosses of the top ply donot create an adverse perception upon the skin of the woman users. Theapplicator may be manufactured from many materials, including but notlimited to, paper, polymers, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene,polyvinyl chloride, nylon, Teslin, Saran, ferrous and non-ferrous metalfoils and their alloys, and composites.

1. A cosmetic applicator suitable for affixing a sample of cosmetic to acarrier, including a card, magazine, and mail piece, for application ofthe cosmetic by a consumer upon receipt of the carrier, said applicatorcomprising: a top ply having a plurality of rounded integralprojections, said projections retaining said sample therebetween uponremoval of said top ply from said applicator and said projectionsavoiding scraping the skin of a consumer, said projections beingmutually spaced apart and separate, and said projections dimpling saidtop ply; a planar bottom ply locating beneath said top ply; a releaseliner locating beneath said bottom ply, said bottom ply adhering to saidrelease liner using a pressure sensitive adhesive, and said bottom plyaffixing said applicator to said carrier upon removal from said releaseliner; said top ply having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface,said top surface being visible to a consumer; said projections extendinggenerally perpendicular to said bottom surface of said top ply andthrough said sample, being generally round bosses retaining said samplebetween any two-of said bosses, and having a height below said topsurface; said bottom ply having a top surface and an opposite bottomsurface, said top surface generally receiving said projections from saidtop ply, and being visible when said top ply is removed therefrom, saidbottom surface adhering to said release liner; said projections areformed by mechanical embossing or printing, said printing of theprojections includes one of silkscreen, offset, rotogravure,flexography, or deposition, said flexography includes the usage of oneof conventional inks, offset inks, flexographic inks, ultraviolet curedinks, and thermographic heat set inks, and wherein deposition includesone of thermoforming, vacuum forming, casting, heat treatment,electrostatic treatment, spraying, extruding, adhesives, and cohesives;said top ply being heat sealed to said bottom ply, and said top ply andsaid bottom ply having a similar planar shape and being heat sealedtogether upon their mutual perimeters, and wherein said cosmeticapplicator sample is no more than 1 mil thick.
 2. The applicator ofclaim 1 and further comprising: a plurality of indicia upon said topsurface of said top ply; and a plurality of indicia upon said topsurface of said bottom ply.
 3. The applicator of claim 1 wherein saidprojections occupy more than 5% and less than 50% of the surface area ofsaid top ply.
 4. The applicator of claim 3 wherein said release liner ispermanently adhered to one of a carrier, card, and magazine, and whereinsaid top ply may be removed for sampling of the cosmetic by a consumer.